LA HABRA HEIGHTS – Bobcats, coyotes and deer have chosen to go their way instead of the highway.

And they are doing it earlier than expected.

Since the opening of the $1.2 million wildlife underpass on June 1 beneath Harbor Boulevard in Puente Hills, animals have quickly found the tunnel to be a safer alternative to crossing the busy commuter road.

What has surprised researchers is that deer have been spotted using the underpass within a couple of weeks without the use of such incentives as scents, grains and plants.

“Deer are a bit more skittish. They’re afraid of predators and since they were going through a long, dark tunnel, we were quite surprised,” said Paul Stapp, assistant professor of biology at Cal State Fullerton.

Some officials said they thought it would take as long as eight months for deer to begin using the underpass.

The tunnel was intended for wildlife to have a safe passageway from the Whittier Narrows nature area to the Cleveland National Forest 31 miles away. The project was funded by Los Angeles County Department of Public Works, California State Parks and the preservation authority.